The Facts: The Browns will still try to trade for Garoppolo, league sources tell cleveland.com. They believe they now have the ammunition to acquire the New England backup and will try to put together a strong package that the Patriots will accept.
Diehards Line:
As previously noted, they acquired Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler and the 2018 second-round pick in exchange for a 2017 fourth-round pick (No. 142, compensatory). They also got the Texans sixth-round pick (No. 188). Essentially, they moved up from the fourth-round to the second for $16 million -- the price of Osweiler's guaranteed contract. The Browns have two first-round picks and two second-rounders this year, and now three second-round picks in 2018. According to Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns will likely be willing to part with their No. 12 overall pick this year for Garoppolo, and at least one of the second-round picks next year. One league source close to the situation told Cabot the Browns' No. 12 likely won't get it done, and that the Patriots will want the Browns' No. 1 overall pick this year. But the Browns will have no intention of doing that. They plan to take Myles Garrett No. 1 overall and won't want to part with the top pick for the 2014 second-rounder. In the end, it remains to be seen if the No. 12 and one or two of the second-round picks will get it done. In addition, the Browns must be able to sign Garoppolo to a lucrative long-term deal for the deal to work. That sounds like a lot of moving pieces. We'll be watching for more.